Benefits The use of phase CatOnium phase transfer catalysts offers number of benefits from synthetic, economic, manufacturing and engineering point of view. This includes:

Easy and reliable up-scaling

Low investments costs

Elimination of expensive and dangerous reactants such as metal alkoxides

Mild reaction conditions with increased process reliability

Flexibility in solvent choice

Minimization of industrial waste

High yield and purity of the end

Reduced reaction time

Increased reaction rates that leads to enhanced selectivity

Reduction of side products output

Increased reactor volume efficiency

Reduction or even elimination of the use of organic solvents

Low energy consumption

Simplicity of the synthetic procedure

Most common CatOnium PTC’s are quaternary ammonium salts containing either alkyl or mixed alkyl/aryl groups. Their applicability is restricted by the thermal stability which is limited to about 100°C. CatOnium phase transfer catalysts comprises broad range of quaternary ammonium halides, with F–,Cl–,Br– and I– as counter anions, and limited number of quaternary hydroxyl ammonium compounds, with an OH– group as counter anion.

Phosphonium PTC’s are used in the cases in which the use of ammonium compounds is not suitable because of their thermal instability. The thermal stability of CatOnium quaternary phosphonium salts is quite good in a range between 120-150°C, with indications that they can be also used at temperatures up to 200 °C.